Control apparatus for engine starters



Jan. 5, 1937. DH.IL. HARTZELL 2,067,084

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ENGINE STARTERS Filed Aug. 5, 1953- x ev Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ENGINE STARTERS Herman L. Hartzell, Anderson, Ind., asslgnor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Dela- Walt Application August 5,1933, Serial No. 683,763\

23 Claims.

become heated up and is operating normally,

such manually operated device is rendered inoperative so that if the engine accidently stops when running normally, it will be automatically restarted without operation of any manually operable element. More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide a manually operable switch to control the circuit which, when closed, causes the starting motor to become effective but which switch is rendered inoperative after the engine becomes hot and is running normally and the circuit normally closed thereby is closed by other means so that the operation of the manually operable switch is unnecessary to cause the starting motor to become operative in the event of unintentional stopping of the engine when operating under normal conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in combination with the structure above referred to, a means operable by the engine itself which serves to prevent any operation of the starting motor during such time as the engine isrunning under its own power, but which will permit the automatic starting of the engine in the manner aforesaid in the event of accidental stalling of said engine.

According to the present invention, these objects are obtained by the provision of a switch for the starting motor circuit which is of magnetic typev and the winding of such magnetic switch is in circuit with a manually operable switch, the ignition switch and a switch operated by engine suction which is normally closed so that when the-ignition switch and the manually operable switch are closed the starting switch is energized and the starting motor becomes effective, in combination with a thermally responsive means which, when the engine becomes hot, closes a switch which short circuits'the manually operable switch above referred to and establishes a shunt circuit around such man ually operable switch so that if the engine stalls permitting the suction operated switch to close. the circuit through the winding of the magnetic starter switch will be immediately closed, such switch will be operated and the circuit of the starting motor completed to render said motor operative to start the engine automatically.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

The single figure is a wiring diagram showing a preferred form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the starting motor I0 is grounded at? This starting motor is adapted to turn the engine crank shaft to start the engine through the medium of the well known Bendix drive, in which a driving pinion I2 is automatically moved into mesh with a suitable gear IS on some part of the engine to be driven, such as the flywheel, when the circuit of the motor III is closed and is automatically disengaged from the flywheel when the engine starts to run under its own power. The construction and operation of the Bendix drive is so well known that a detailed showing or further'description' thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The starting motor is connected by .a wire M with one fixed contact I5 01 an automatically operated switch of the magnetic type. The

the movable contact 2| and at its opposite end to some suitable fixed point. The spring normally holds the switch above described in open position and the switch is closed when the solenoid is energized, which is brought about in a manner more particularly described hereinafter.

The above mentioned solenoid is provided with a winding grounded at 25, the other end of said winding being connected by a wire 26 to one fixed contact 21 of a switch operated by engine suction in the manner hereinafter described. This switch is provided with a second fixed contact 28 and a movable contact 29 connected to a rod 30 which in turn is connected to a flexible diaphragm 3|, received within a chamber formed by two sheet metal shells 32 and 33 which are suitably fianged'and the flanges of which are secured together with the diaphragm therebetween in any suitable way to form .a fluid-tight joint. The upper shell 33 is suitably connected to a conduit 34, the other end of which communicates with the intake manifold of the engine 35 so that the manifold suction is communicated to the upper side of the diaphragm and when the engine is running under its own power, the suction is sufiicient 'to lift the diaphragm 3| and move the movable contact 29 out of engagement with the two fixed contacts 21 and 23, the diaphragm being normally held in its normal position with the above described switch closed by means of a spring 35 received between the upper shell and the diaphragm. A second spring 31 which is weaker than spring 36 is received between the diaphragm 3| and the lower shell 32 and aids the suction of the engine in opening the switch, the construction being such that the switch is adapted to be held open whenever the engine is operating under its own power under all operating conditions, including operation at low speed under heavy load.

The fixed contact 23 is connected by a wire 33 with one fixed contact 39 of a manually operable switch. This switch includes a movable contact 40 having an operating element 4| which may be in the form of a push button on the dash or a button adapted to be operated by the root of the operator. The movable contact is nor mally held in its upper position with the switch open by means of a spring 42 and when moved by the operator to close the switch engages the fixed contact 39 above referred to and a second fixed contact 43 which is connected by a wire 44 with a wire 45 which leads to the fixed contact 46 of the ignition switch, the latter being provided with a movable contact 41 connected by a wire 48 which is connected to the wire ll, the latter being connected by the wire l3 with the battery, as previously referred to. A wire 49 is connected to the wire 45 and leads to the ignition system of the engine, not shown.

The wirell leads to a generator 53 grounded at 5| and the usual cut-out relay 52 is provided between the generator and the battery in the customary manner to enable the generator to charge the battery during engine operation.

Connected to the wire 33 between the suction operated switch and the manually operable switch is a wire 52 which leads to a contact 53. Normally disengaged from the contact 53 is a contact 54 supported at oneend of a thermostatic element 55 which is connected at its opposite end to a wire 53 connected to the wire 45, or the wire 45 may itself be connected directly to the thermostatic element. When the engine is cold the thermostatic element 55 is in such position that the contacts 53 and 54 are separated as shown in the drawing. When the engine becomes sufllciently hot the thermostatic element 55 is adapted to move the contact 54 into engagement with the contact 53, the thermostatic element being so constructed that the contacts 53 and 54 are engaged during any normal operation of the engine and are only separated when the engine has been stopped for an appreciable time and is relatively cold. After the engine is started it will become sufllciently hot after operating a. relatively short time to cause the contacts 53 and 54 to be engaged for a purpose which will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

The operation of the device is relatively simple. Assuming that the engine is not in operation and is at a temperature below that at which the contacts 53 and 54 are closed, it will be noted that the suction operated switch is in closed position,

as shown in the drawing. In order to start the engine the ignition switch must first be closed and then the manually operable button 41 must be operated to move the contact 43 into engage ment with the contacts 39 and 43. When this is done, current will fiow from the battery through the connection 23 to ground, the wires l8 and 48, the ignition switch, wires 45 and 44, the manually operable switch, wire 33, the suctiori operated switch, wire 25, the winding 24 and wire 25 to ground again. This will complete the circuit through the wire 24 of the solenoid so as to energize the latter and move the contact 2| into engagement with the contacts l5 and 15. When this is done, current will flow from the battery through the connection 23 to ground, through the wires l8 and I! to the contact l6, through movable contact 2|, the contact l5 and wire l4 to the starting motor in and through the connection II to ground again. Thus the starting motor circuit is completed and the starting motor will operate to crank the engine and cause the latter to start.

When the engine starts to run under its own power, the suction operated switch is open as previously described, the solenoid is then de-energlzed and the circuit through the starting motor is broken so that said motor comes to a stop and the engine continues to run under its own power.

Thus it will be seen that whenever the engine is stopped and is below a predetermined temerature, the manually operable switch controlled by the button 4| must be closed in order to start the engine.

As previously pointed out, it is the primary purpose of this invention to make the operation of the manually operable switch unnecessary in case the engine accidentally stalls when it has been operating long enough to reach a predetermined temperature, this being done so that in case of accidental stalling of the engine, the engine may be automatically restarted without attention from the operator. This is accomplished by means of the thermostatically controlled contacts 54 and 53. When the thermostatic element 55 moves the contact 54 into engagement with the contact 53, the manually operable switch is short circuited. At such time it will be obvious that the suction operated switch is open so that as long as the engine runs the circuit through the winding 24 is not completed because the suction operated switch is open, but as soon as the engine stops and allows the suction operated switch to close, current will flow from the battery to ground through the connection 20 and from the battery through the wires l3 and 43, the ignition switch, wires 45 and 53, the thermostatic element, con;- tacts 54 and 53, wire 38, the suction operated switch, and wire 26 to the winding 24 and through connection 25 to ground again. 0! course, the closing of the suction operated switch takes place automatically as soon as the engine ceases to operate so that the above describei circuit is automatically closed whenever the engine stops after the temperature thereof has reached a predetermined degree and will be immediately restarted without any attention whatever from the operator. As-soon 'as it starts to run again, the suction operated switch is opened, the circuit through the starting motor is broken and the motor ceases to'operate as previously described.

While the form of embodiment of the present 2,067,084 invention as herein disclosed, constitutes apre- 1. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting when the engine temperature rises'to a prede-- motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, and means for automatically causing the closing'of said switch when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree.

2. Control apparatus for internal combustionengines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor withsaid-current source, a manually operable switch for controlling the operation of the said starter switch, and thermally responsive means for rendering the manually operable switch ineffective when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree.

3. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the said curconnection of said starting motor with rent source, means for controlling the. operation of said starter switch comprising a plurality of manually operable switches, thermally responsive means for rendering one of said switches ineffective when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree, and another switch operable by engine suction for controlling the operation of said starter switch. 1

4. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising a manually operable switch adapted to be closed to cause the starter switch to close, means operated by the engine for causing the starter switch to open when the engine is running under its own power, and thermally responsive means adapted to render said manually operated switch inefiective termined degree and to cause said starter switch to close if the engine stops when the engine temperature is above said predetermined degree and the engine operated means becomes inefiective to keep the starter switch open whereby the engine is automatically restarted if itstalls when above said predetermined temperature.

5. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising a manually operable switch adapted to be closed tocause the starter switch to close, means operated by engine suction for causing the starter switchto open when the engine is running ,under itsown.

power, and thermally responsive means adapted to render said: manually operated switch ineffective when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree and to cause said starter switch to close if the engine stops when the engine temperature is above said predetermined predetermined temperature.

. from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising a plurality of manually operated switches adapted to be closed to cause said starter switch to close and one of which is adapted to remain closed during engine operation, another switch operated by the engine to cause said starter switch to open when the engine is operating under its own power, and thermally responsive means operative to render one of said manually operable switches ineffective when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree and to cause said starter switch to close if the engine stops while said thermally responsive means is operated and the engine becomes ineifective to keep the switch operated thereby open, whereby the engine is automatically restarted if it stalls above said 7. Control-apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising an ignition switch, a manually operated switch and an engine operated switch all of which must be closed to cause the starter switch to close, means whereby the engine opens said last named switch to cause said starter switch to open when the engine is runing under its own power, thermally .responsive means adapted to render said manually operable switch ineifective when the engine is above a predetermined temperature and to automatically cause the starter switch to close if the engine stops, when the engine temperature is above said degree and the engine operated switch is in closed position, whereby the engine is automatically restarted if it stalls when above said predetermined temperature.

8. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a magnetic switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapted to be closed when the engine is cold to cause the magnetic switch to be closed and thermally responsive means operable independently of the manually operable switch to cause the magnetic switch to be closed when the engine temperature is above a predetermined degree;

9. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a magnetic switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the -current source, a manually operable switch adaptengines comprising a current source, a starting 75 motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a magnetic switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapted to close the circuit between said magnetic switch and the current source when the engine.

' current source, a manually operable switch adapted to close the circuit between said magnetic switch and the current source when the engine is cold, means operated by the engine to open said circuit when the engine is operating under its own power, and thermally responsive means adapted to render the manually operable switch inoperative when the engine temperature e);- ceeds a predetermined degree and to close said circuit under such conditions.

12. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising a current source, starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a magnetic switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapt-- ed to close the circuit between said magnetic switch and the current source when the engine is cold, a switch in circuit with the magnetic switch adapted to be opened by engine suction when the engine is operating under its own power, and thermally responsive means adapted to render the manually operable switch inoperative when the engine temperature exceeds a predetermined degree and to cause operation of said magnetic switch when the suction operated switch is closed.

13. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to receive current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of the starting motor with the current source, a manually operable means for causing the starter switch to close when the engine is cold, and automatic means for causing the starter switch to close when the engine is hot, said automatic means being operable entirely independently of the manually operable means.

14. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to receive current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the conmotionof the starting motor with the current source, a manually operable means for causing the starter switch to close when the temperature of the engine is below a predetermined degree, and automatic means to cause the starter switch to close when the engine temperature is above said predetermined degree.

15. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting.

motor adapted to be operated by current irom said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising a plurality of manually operable switches in series and ther-- mally responsive means for rendering one of said manually operable switches ineffective when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree.

16. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapted to be closed when the engine is cold to cause the closing of. the starter switch, and thermally responsive means operable independently of the manually operable switch to cause closing of the starter switch when the engine temperature is above a predetermined degree.

1'7. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapted to be closed when the engine is cold to cause the closing of the starter switch, and thermally responsive means operable independently of the manually operable switch to cause closing of the starter switch and to render the manually operable switch ineffective when the engine temperature is above a predetermined degree, whereby the starting motor may be caused to become effective at such engine temperature without operation of said manually operable switch.

18. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with the current source, a manually operable switch adapted to be closed when the engine is cold and thermally responsive means adapted to shortcircuit the manually operable switch and to cause the closing of the starter switch when the engine temperature rises above a predetermined degree.

19. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of the starting motor with the cur rent source, manually and thermally operable control switches, each of which is operable independently of the other to cause operation of the starter switch, said thermally operable switch being so constructed that it closes when the engine temperature rises above a predetermined degree to enable the starting motor to be rendered operative independently of the manually operable switch. 20. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, manually operable means for causing closing of said starter switch when the engine is cold and automatically operable means for causing closing of said starter switch when the engine is hot independently of the manually operable controlling means.

21. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said current source, a manually operable switch for causing closing of the said starter switch and thermally responsive means for causing closing of said starter switch independently of said manually operable switch when the temperature rises to a predetermined degree.

22. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said cur-- rent source, means for causing closing of said' starter switch comprising a plurality of manually operable switches in series and a thermally responsive switch in parallel with one of said manually operable switches and operable to close when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree, so as to cause closing of the starter switch independently of said last named manually operable switch.

23. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising, a current source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from said source, a starter switch for controlling the connection of said starting motor with said cur rent source, means for controlling the operation of said starter switch comprising a manually operable switch and a suction operated switch in series with said manually operable switch, thermally res sive means for rendering the manually operable switch inefiective and operative when the engine temperature rises to a predetermined degree to cause closing of said starter switch independently, of said manually operable switch.

HERMAN L. HARTZEIL. 

